Daily Excelsior.........State

JAMMU, Oct 30: Making his Party’s stand clear that it favours greater autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir State, the Communist Party of India, (Marxist), (CPI M), state secretary and MLA Kulgam, Assembly segment, Mr Mohammed Yousf Tarigami accused National Conference Government for adopting double standards on the issue.

The CPI M leader while talking to reporters here today, alleged that State Government was deliberately adopting delaying tactics on the issue after joining hands with National Democratic Alliance at Centre.

He said the Government had announced that a special session will be held for discussion and passage of autonomy report but not a single word was spoken on the issue in the recently concluded Legislature session at Srinagar.

Asserting that greater autonomy to the state will bring large sections of the population to the national mainstream and help in creating a conducive atmosphere for resolution of long standing issues, he demanded that serious efforts be made for restoration of maximum autonomy. Advocating a dialogue between various mainstream political parties and the separatist organisations including Hurriyat Conference, the CPI M leader said, the Kashmir is a dispute between people and Government and hence we all should sit together for restoration of peace and normalcy in the state.

He also urged the Centre to take initiative for holding a dialogue with the people of J&K immediately as any delay in it will create more problems.

He said for creating a congenial atmosphere for the dialogue all the detained leaders of Hurriyat Conference and other organisations be released immediately.

He said when we are ready to hold dialogue with Pakistan what harm we have in talking with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He however, maintained that Pakistan we have to address also.

Mr Tarigami while terming the recently held elections as farce, said I as a democrat feel ashamed to call these elections as elections and alleged that such poll irregularities have never been witnessed by me in the past elections.

He said the entire men and machinery was misused by the ruling party in these elections and the voters were intimidated by the state police.

The Communist leader said on one side the people were facing the poll boycott threat from the enemies of democratic process and on other side, the State Government also created an abnormal situation and harassed voters.

He said the poll irregularities in past by ruling party is one of the reasons of the present militancy in the state and by repeating the same it appears that NC has not learnt any thing from the decade long turmoil and destruction.

He also took the Central Government to task for its ineptness to contain the state Government from going astray saying that New Delhi is daily crying that we are facing a war threat but how can they restore normalcy when such conditions prevail in the state , he asked?

Taking strong exception of the poll irregularities he alleged this amounts to playing with the national interest.

He said when entire country is worried about Kashmir one political party is being allowed to spoil the situation.

He alleged that the main intention of rejuvenating the J&K Police was not aimed at crushing militancy but making NC more powerful.

He also blamed the State Government for prevailing financial crunch saying that the funds are being spent on unproductive works while the common man is suffering.

He also urged the Centre to provide some package to J&K State so that the people who have suffered a lot during decade long militancy will get a succour.

NC Government ignoring Doda in developmental
field: Cong

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 30: Several Congress -I leaders have criticised the State Government for neglecting the Doda district in the developmental field.

These leaders in a joint statement issued here today alleged that people of the district have been ignored in employment, medical and education field.

They said the developmental works in the district are at stand still as no work has been executed during the last three years.

They said the condition of roads is very bad and people are facing acute shortage of drinking water in Kishtwar town as well as other areas of the district. Besides this the schools and primary health centres are without staff.

The Congress leaders demanded that backdoor appointments in Government services should be stopped immediately and interviews for various Government posts be held.

They also demanded a special enrollment scheme for district Doda which has badly been affected due to militant activities.

For the equal development of all the districts they demanded implementation of Wazir Commission report.

The other demands highlighted by them include that necessary infrastructure be provided to Degree College Kishtwar for teaching of science subjects, handing over of Marwa-Padar road to GREF and opening of Daksam, Senthal road from Kishtwar to Srinagar.

They also blamed the Chief Minister for his not fulfilling his poll promises with the people of the Kishtwar.

The signatories to the statement include Messrs Bharat Gandhi, ex MLA and Member Executive PCC and Sheikh Ghulam Hyder, District president Doda.

PDD revises curtailment schedule

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 30: The State Power Development Department has revised the power curtailment schedule for the Jammu and Kashmir regions which will be effective from November 1.

According to a PDD handout issued here today, under the new curtailment schedule the present pattern of one hour rotational cut in Jammu Division has been withdrawn and there will be once a week evening peak power cut for three hours in both the regions now.

This curtailment will be from 5pm to 8 pm in Kashmir while in Jammu Division it will be from 6 pm to 9 pm.

Besides this there will be no afternoon cut in the areas to be put off during the evening peak once a week.

However, during the night hours the power curtailment will be enforced in Kashmir Valley from 11 pm to 5 am while in Jammu it will be effective from 12.30 mid night to 5 am.

The statement said the power supply in organised industrial sector in both the regions of the state will remain off from 6pm to 12 mid night.

As per the new schedule there will be no power curtailment from 5 am to 9 am in both Jammu and Kashmir provinces and from 5pm to 11 am in Kashmir Valley and from 6pm to 12 noon in Jammu.

During the day hours the handout said, the total load shall be divided into two groups with one group remaining on from 9 am to 1 pm and the other from 1 pm to 5 pm in Kashmir Division.

In Jammu Division it said, similarly the day load shall be divided into two groups with one group remaining on from 9am to 1-30 pm and the other from 1-30 pm to 6 am.

Tej Rawal’s collection of Kashmiri Ghazals released

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 30: A collection of Ghazals, written by prominent Kashmiri poet, Tej Rawal, was released at a function held at Abhinav Theatre here this afternoon.

Large number of Kashmiri and Dogri writers were present on the occasion.

" Gotch Poshe Wanah"— this collection of Kashmiri Ghazals is a milestone in Kashmiri literature, because of its unique and distinct style.

Tej Rawal has been writing in Kashmiri for the last more than three decades and this collection of his poems is expected to attract the attention of all those who are connected with the literature one way or the other.

Born in Khrew village of Kashmir valley, Tej Rawal has been writing since 1969. His kashmiri poetry which has its own colour and diction, has been published in Sheeraza and other leading Kashmiri magazines.

One of the prominent poets of Kashmiri language, Tej Rawal is an ace media person and has been associated with Doordarshan and All India Radio . At present, he is working as Assistant Station Director at Radio Kashmir Jammu.

Apart from "Gotch Posh Wanah", the English translation of Arjan Dev Majboor’s poetry " Waves" and Late Dr Brij Premi’s essay collection in Kashmiri, were also released at this function.

The function was organised by Northern India Cultural Centre and Samprati.

Kalidass Jyanti, Sanskrit Day celebrated

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 30: Kalidass Jyanti and Sanskrit Day were celebrated in the Department of Sanskrit today. The function was presided over by Prof Zahur-ud-Din Head of the Department of Urdu, Dean Arts Faculty and Registrar of the University. Professor Ram Kishore Shukla Principal Sri Ranbir Kenderya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth was the chief guest.

While welcoming the guest, Professor Mahesh Chander Sharma Head of the Department of Sanskrit Jammu University.

Professor Ram Kishore Shukla emphasised the importance and characterstics of the great post Kalidass.

On this occasion Intercollege debating competition was held in which about Ten College and University students participated. Mr Shakti Kumar student of MA IIIrd Semester of the Department of Sanskrit bagged Ist Prize and Miss Parveen Bala Kathua college, Miss Deepa Sharma Gandhi Nagar and Madan Mohan Sanskrit Department got 2nd, 3rd and 4th prize respectively.

Dr Kedarnath Sharma, Reader in Sanskrit Department compared the whole function. Dr Ramnika Jalali, Reader in Sanskrit Department presented the vote of thanks.

Sanskrit Vidyapeeth students threaten self-immolation

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 30: Agitating students of the Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth today threatened self-immolation in front of the office of the Principal of the Vidyapeeth in case authorities failed to fulfill their long pending demands.

Addressing a press conference, president of the Sanskrit Chattra Sangh, Mr Vinod Shastri strongly condemned the adamant attitude of the college authorities in solving their long pending genuine demands. He regretted that students of the Vidyapeeth have been agitating for the last 25 days but authorities have not pay any heed to their woes. He alleged that instead of accepting demands of the students, college authorities have been threatening the agitating students of dire consequences.

President of the Chattra Sangh disclosed that they have given one week’s time to the college authorities to accept their demands. "In case authorities failed to accept our demands we will immolate ourselves in front of the Principal’s office", he threatened.

Student leader said that for the last seven year no convocation has been held. He alleged that the reputed Sanskrit Vidyapeeth virtually became defunct to the inept management. "Ph.D scholars of the Vidyapeeth have submitted their thesis but for the last seven years none of the scholar has been awarded any degree", he alleged.

General secretary of the Sangh, Mr Vipan Kumar and convenor of the Sangh Mr Ashwani Kumar Shastri were also present in the press conference.

As reported earlier, students of the Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth have been agitating for reservation of Sanskrit graduates in B.Ed, reservation of local students in M.Ed, release of the hiked scholarship and hostel facilities for the students.

Students also demanded construction of college building on the 100 kanal land purchased for this regard.

AMML organises talk on Duggar art

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 30: In connection with its month long talk series, Amar Mahal Museum and Library today organised a talk on "Spring Stones- a folk art of Duggar" by Dr Ashok Jerath, Station Director, Radio Kashmir, Jammu today evening in the premises of the Museum.

Fork art, which is supposedly rooted in the collective awareness of people, is perceived to be unsophisticated art, both fine and applied. In his talk, Dr Jerath highlighted the folk art motifs carved out on the spring stones in Jammu and adjoining areas. He focused especially on the rich history of pilgrimages of Vaishno Devi Shrine and Purmandal and the ancient bawlis or springs along their respective routes.

Dr Jerath, who started his career as a teacher in Kendriya Vidyalayas, is a renowned writer and scholar of Dogri and Hindi and has done pioneering work in researching the folk art of Jammu region.

In its on-going month-end talk and lecture series programme, Amar Mahal Museum and Library has already focused on art and culture of Ladakh and origin of Dogri language. The talk by Dr Jerath on the folk art of Duggar was a continuation of the on-going programme.

As a police, Amar Mahal Museum and Library realised that the onus of disseminating our culture falls on it. For this institution is the only propagator of the concept of ‘new-museum’ in this region where in a museum by studying all media of expression such as art, languages, music, dance etc, promotes a better understanding of our surrounding. Therefore, AMML has falling in line several such programmes for the next millennium to launch it as a vibrant place for learning.

Night restrictions imposed in areas across Manawar Tawi

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 30: The District Magistrate Jammu has restricted the movement of persons across Manawar Tawi during night hours from 9 pm to 5 am.

The order to this effect has been issued by Mr Rohit Kansal, Additional District Magistrate, Jammu, by virtue of powers vested in him under Section 144 CrPC. The restrictions shall remain in force in the areas right from Chakla upto Narojian for a period of two months from October 29.

The order said further that "however, under exceptional circumstances where the nearest SHO of Police, Post Commander of Border Security Force Border Outpost or post commander of army is satisfied that it is essential for any person or persons to be allowed to move about during curfew hours to seek urgent medical aid, undertake threshing operations, for carrying out irrigation or plantation of seedlings, during curfew hours, the concerned SHO or post Commanders may permit such persons, by issuing curfew passes in the format provided vide Letter No PA/126/91 dated 3.8.1991. Regarding threshing operations, only actual threshing is to take place and no transportation of materials to or from the thresher will take place. Numberdars of the villages will submit to the SHOs or Post Commanders scheduled according to which the farmers of their villages will conduct threshing, irrigation or plantation operations at the threshers, fields, most easily accessible from the concern field".

PHE drivers, cleaners frame working committee

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 30: A meeting of the PHE Drivers, Cleaners Union was held at PHE Complex B C Road here in which the previous body was dissolved and a working committee framed unanimously for smooth conduct of elections and day to day functioning.

As per a release the working Committee members included Messrs S Balwinder Singh, Surinder Singh, Surinder Kumar, Pyara Singh, Gurcharan Singh, Inderjit Singh, Pashori Lal, Tilak Raj, Shahid Ali, Balbir Singh and Angrez Singh.

Bishnah people to honour families of Kargil martyrs

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 30: Pratibha Darpan Rangmanch, Bishnah, will pay homage to the martyrs of Kargil War Heroes at a function to be held in the ground of Government Higher secondary School Bishnah tomorrow.

As per a release besides paying tributes to the Shaheeds the families of martyrs Naib Subedar Ravil Singh, son of Joginder Singh of village Makhanpur, Sep Tarsem Lal, son of Buti Ram of village Gandhli, L/Nk Darshan Lal, son of Karam Chand of Tareva and Sep Raman Kumar, son of Shanker Dass of Arnia, would be honoured.

The programme is being organised under the presidentship of Mr Pawan Sharma and general secretary Mr Ankur Mahajan.

Printers Asso’s concern over unscheduled power cuts

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 30: Jammu Printers Association in a general body meeting here today has expressed grave concern over the unscheduled power cuts causing heavy loss to the industry.

In a statement issued here today, the Association said that despite the heavy rise in the power tariff, the power supply was worsening day by day.

The meeting urged the Government that industrial sector should be provided round the clock power supply as it has already been put to a heavy loss.

Prof Gupta accorded warm welcome at Kathua

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Oct 30: Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta was given a rousing reception on his arrival in the town today.

This is his maiden visit to Kathua after being inducted in the Union Council of Ministers during the middle of this month.

Prof Gupta was taken into a big procession from Kalibari. The procession after passing through college road Main Bazar, Parli Bund and Main Chowk culminated into a public meeting at Party district office.

On his arrival at Kathua, Prof Gupta was received by senior BJP leader, Ch Chaggar Singh and MLA Gandhinagar, Ch. Piara Singh.

Later while addressing the Party workers Prof Gupta assured them that he will take all possible steps for the equal development of all three districts of the Udhampur, Doda Constituency.

The people while highlighting their problems demanded two more degree colleges for Kathua district and construction of more water supply schemes as the public especially in Kandi belt was facing acute shortage of drinking water.

Over-whelming response to Lapid exhibition

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 30: With a sole aim to protecting the traditional Kashmiri arts, Lapid Crafts has organised an exhibition to display products of pure Kashmiri Kalam.

Excellently designed carpets, furniture, sculpture and jewellery manufactured with virtually extincting Kashmir art, popularly known as Kashmir Kalam have been displayed in the exhibition- Millennium Expo.

"Our main aim is to revive the extincting Kashmir Kalam", said Dr B K Shettal, research and analyses of Lapid.

Started by two young entrepreneurs namely Sumit Sharma and Ambika, Lapid Crafts, with the millennium fast approaching, is entering also entering a brand of new phase of distinction and innovation. Lapid Crafts is a group of companies and a leading bussiness expanding company which has earned the distinction of being the most successful designers and manufacturers of carpets, furniture, sculpture, and jewellery and is recognised nationally and internationally with in no time. Lapid Craft is also a comprehensive resource for design consultation regarding interior design, architecture and exclusive interior furnishing, to suit any residential, commercial or yacht interior design project.

Exhibits displayed in the exhibition were designed by Sumit and Ambika with the assistance of Ms Sunita Gandhi. Ms Gandhi has given very help to the young entrepreneurs in this regard.

Dr Shettal said costs of the furniture available with Lapid depend upon the wood used while the cost of traditional Kashmiri carpets started from Rs 1000 to onward.

Lapid is opening its offices at Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and other cities to export Kashmiri carpets and other products.

Millennium Expo which opened on October 27, has so far received overwhelming response. People, interested in the buying traditional and pure items, were seen thronged to the exhibition to get some traditional items made of pure Kashmiri Kalam.

National symposium, workshop at JU concludes

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct. 30: The National Symposium and Workshop on Solid State Chemistry and Allied Areas, being organised in the Department of Chemistry, University, concluded today.

In today's three sessions four invited talks were presented. Professor P.N. Kotru of Jammu University spoke on "Energy dispersive X-Ray Analysis of Scope Flux Grown Rare-Earth Aluminate Crystals.''

Dr P C Kalsi of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, elaborated the "Thermal Studies on Un-irradiated and Gamma-radiated Solid State Nuclear Track Detector.'' Dr M R R Prasad of Vikram Srabhai Space Centre, Trivandrum, spoke on Thermal Decomposition of Aliphatic Amine Perchlorates and their effect on Ammonium Perchlorate Decomp-

osition, Decomposition, a very important process in the space programme. Dr Arun Kumar of Food Technology Division, B.A.R.C., Mumbai, delivered a lecture on "Preservation of Food by Radiation,'' a technique of great relevance to Food Technology.

Besides these invited talks, 14 oral presentations were made on various aspects of solid State Chemistry.

The valedictory function of the programme was held in the afternoon chaired by Prof N B Singh of Gorakhpur University. Those who spoke on the occasion included Dr K D S Mudher, V K Manchanda, Dr P C Kalsi, all of B.A.R.C., Dr B.S.V. Gopalam of I.I.T., Chennai and Prof I.B. Sharma, National Secretary, ISCAS.